GreenTalk - Spring / Summer 1996

Small Businesses Get a Clean Break

In April 1995, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) launched an innovative new pilot project to help small businesses comply with environmental laws in the Rockford area. The program, called Clean Break, allowed businesses to anonymously receive assistance in meeting environmental regulations and to avoid any penalties associated with possible violations, otherwise known as granting "amnesty" to these businesses.

Businesses with 200 or fewer employees were eligible to take advantage of this opportunity. Approximately 400 small businesses inquired about the program through a toll-free number advertised to the business community by DCCA.

Companies that called were assigned a number and were known by that number, not their name. Each company was assigned a client manager, who acted as a liaison between the company, and the client service team, made up of representatives of the Illinois EPA, DCCA and the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. Meetings between the company, client manager and client service team were scheduled either via the phone or in person.

At these meetings, companies divulged what kinds of company they were, such as a printer, metal plater, or autobody/repair shop. From this information, Illinois EPA representatives were able to identify potential environmental concerns and provide remedies to them.

On Jan. 1, 1996, the Clean Break Amnesty Program was expanded statewide to serve autobody/auto repair and printing businesses. The Illinois EPA intends to serve other kinds of businesses through Clean Break as well after the conclusion of the initial expansion phase on June 30, 1996.

The Clean Break Amnesty Program was suggested by a task force set up by Gov. Jim Edgar to help small businesses work with government agencies. Edgar felt something had to be done to help small businesses through the maze of environmental laws. A great number of small businesses exist in Illinois, so helping them come into compliance should make a big difference in the amount of pollution generated.

The Clean Break Amnesty Program is an innovative way to build partnerships between government and business. This is an exciting step in the right direction. Only through working together can we find the right solutions to balance economic and environmental concerns.